Virtuals Launches IRIS on Ethereum, 50 % of Tokens for Community

AI‑driven blockchain projects have been on a tear in 2025, but few have embraced a community‑first ethos as boldly as Virtuals Protocol. 

On  Ethereum mainnet, the team just rolled out IRIS, its newest AI agent token, and immediately earmarked 50 % of the total supply for everyday users. 

That allocation dwarfs the industry norm and underscores Virtuals’ belief that strong networks start with broad ownership. 

IRIS is launching through Genesis Launch, the protocol’s permissionless token‑distribution framework. 

Instead of a closed presale or VC round, Genesis rewards participants who earn “Virgen Points” by staking or interacting with earlier Virtuals assets—then lets them convert those points into token allocations. 

The model has already powered multiple 10‑100× movers inside the Virtuals ecosystem and has become a case study in fair, AI‑native token launches. 

What Is the IRIS Token? 

The IRIS token is the native asset of IRIS, an autonomous AI agent developed within the Virtuals Protocol. It serves both utility and governance functions in the Virtuals ecosystem:

• AI Usage & Execution: IRIS tokens are used to interact with and trigger actions from the IRIS agent, which is capable of autonomous decision-making, on-chain execution, and agent-to-agent communication.
  
   
• Staking & Access: Users may need to hold or stake IRIS to unlock premium agent features, advanced tooling, or integrations with dApps built on Virtuals.
  
   
• Governance: Over time, IRIS holders may govern key upgrades and protocol settings specific to the IRIS agent chain or its behavior.
   

In essence, IRIS is not just a speculative asset—it’s the coordination token behind a new category of smart agents, blending AI with programmable finance.

$IRIS Token Launch on Ethereum 

IRIS is the first Virtuals agent to debut with a native liquidity pool on Ethereum Layer 1, rather than on a roll‑up. 

The switch brings immediate access to deep ETH liquidity and a larger holder base, helping IRIS plug directly into the existing DeFi stack—DEXs, lending markets, and on‑chain analytics. 

Read more: Why BlackRock Bought $357M in BTC and ETH – A Sign of Bullish Momentum?

Community‑First Token Allocation 

Half of the IRIS supply is air‑dropped to the Ethereum community via the Genesis Launch. 

No team carve‑out, no private‑sale unlocks—just a points‑weighted distribution that caps individuals at a tiny slice of the pie to prevent whale dominance. 

This “50 % rule” has quickly become a selling point for Virtuals launches, giving new tokens organic liquidity and thousands of grassroots promoters from day one. 

How Genesis Launch Works 

1. Earn Points: Stake $VIRTUAL or interact with existing agent pools to accumulate Virgen Points.
   
    
2. Pledge Points: During the 24‑hour launch window, pledge points to signal how many tokens you want.
   
    
3. Lock $VIRTUAL: Deposit the max $VIRTUAL needed to cover your provisional allocation.
   
    
4. TGE Settlement: After the window closes, the contract calculates final allocations pro rata and returns any unused $VIRTUAL.
   
    
5. Claim Tokens: IRIS is minted; community members claim on Ethereum mainnet.
    

This real‑time, point‑weighted math keeps bots at bay and aligns cost with genuine participation. 

Read more:Virtuals Protocol: How to Buy and Trade Blockchain-Based AI Agents

Developer & Ecosystem Incentives 

The other 50 % of IRIS funds the developer pool and ecosystem treasury. Up to half of those dev tokens must follow transparent lock‑ups and linear vesting, enforced on‑chain via Virtuals’ token‑table module. 

Builders also collect a slice of trading‑tax revenue once pools go live, giving them recurring income without dumping tokens. 

Market Impact and What’s Next 

Past Genesis launches have ignited sharp spikes in $VIRTUAL price and ecosystem volumes; one launch cycle pushed the governance token more than 200 % in a month. 

Analysts expect IRIS to extend that momentum by drawing thousands of new Ethereum users into the Virtuals fold—especially with veVIRTUAL staking now boosting point earnings. 

As more AI agents follow IRIS to mainnet, Virtuals aims to cement itself as the go‑to factory for tokenized AI. 

Conclusion

With IRIS, Virtuals Protocol isn’t just shipping another AI token—it’s stress‑testing a fair‑launch blueprint that hands half the supply to its earliest supporters and ties developer rewards to long‑term performance. 

If the rollout succeeds, it could set a precedent for future AI‑crypto crossovers, proving that transparency and community ownership can coexist with cutting‑edge tech and serious market demand.

More about Ethereum and Virtual:

AI Agent h011yw00d and $HOLLY Token Debut on Virtuals Protocol

Why Ethereum (ETH) Can Get 10X Next Year

Whales Are Buying More VIRTUAL!

Virtuals Expands to Solana, Establishes Strategic SOL Reserve

Ethereum Validators Push for Higher Gas Limit

FAQ 

1. How do I qualify for the IRIS airdrop?

Earn and pledge Virgen Points by staking or trading within the Virtuals ecosystem, then lock $VIRTUAL during the 24‑hour Genesis window to secure your allocation.

2. What percentage of IRIS tokens go to the community?

Exactly 50 % of the total IRIS supply is reserved for Ethereum community members via Genesis Launch.

3. Is there a team or VC allocation for IRIS?

There are no immediate team tokens; developer and treasury allocations vest under on‑chain lock‑ups to align long‑term incentives.

4. Can I trade IRIS immediately after launch?

Yes. A native IRIS/ETH liquidity pool is created on Ethereum mainnet at the token‑generation event, enabling instant trading.

5. What is the role of $VIRTUAL in the IRIS launch?

$VIRTUAL acts as the staking currency for point accrual and the settlement asset for claiming IRIS allocations in Genesis Launch.